Guardiola sad to see Pogba miss Manchester derby

Posted December 03, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Manchester United's Paul Pogba leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was sad to see Paul Pogba get a red card that will cause the Manchester United midfielder to miss the top-of-the-table derby match next weekend.

Guardiola said "I would like that Paul could play (because) I like to face the team with the best players as possible, to see if (we are) able to beat them."

Pogba was sent off for a studs-first tackle on Hector Bellerin in United's 3-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday. It will earn the France international a three-match ban and leave United without possibly its key player for its biggest game of the season.

Hours before the Arsenal game, a TV interview with Pogba was broadcast in which he said he hoped City - the Premier League leader by eight points - "will get some very important players injured" this season.

Asked for his thoughts, Guardiola said Sunday: "Did he say that? . I think in the end, it was an expression. I am pretty sure he doesn't want other players to get injured."

Referee Andre Marriner shows a red card to Manchester United's Paul Pogba, 2nd right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Dec. 3, 2017. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) The Associated Press

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